AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND ENABLE THE VARIOUS PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CONTRACT FOR NAMING RIGHTS OF CIVIC CENTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The governing authority of any city, county or any other public entity, whether acting as a state agency or a local agency, is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into contracts for the use of a commercial, corporate, business or private enterprise name on the building, literature, letterhead or other item, as contracted for, of any publicly-owned stadium, coliseum, auditorium, convention center, civic center or other facility whose main purpose is to provide a place for conventions, entertainment, athletic events and events. Such contracts shall be for a term that complies with law and may, in the discretion of the governing authority, extend beyond the term of office of the persons who are members of the governing authority when the contract is entered into. Such contracts shall provide compensation to the public entity that is fair and adequate consideration, in the determination of the governing authority, in exchange for the benefits, name recognition, advertising, potential returns and publicity to the private enterprise. Any such contract entered into prior to the effective date of this act is hereby ratified and affirmed. Such public entities may negotiate and enter into such contract for naming rights, and all incidental rights associated therewith, in the same method as is authorized by law for procuring a contract for professional services. This act does not authorize contracts for naming rights for school buildings or any other type of public building, regardless of whether it is used for public meetings on occasion, but applies only to public buildings which are primarily focused on convention, entertainment, athletic events and other civic events.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.